Sound Arresting Barrier Having A Spacer Bracket

ABSTRACT

A sound barrier includes a plurality of vertically extending posts, wherein each post has an I-shaped cross section defined by a central web and spaced apart pairs of flanges that define oppositely disposed channels for receiving the end portions of sound wall sections. At least one wall section may be received within each channel. The wall sections may have a thickness that is less than the width of the respective channel, so that a space or gap is created between the wall section and one of the flanges of the post. At least one bracket is positioned in the space and attached to the wall section to retain the wall section within the channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/018,153 filed Jun. 27, 2014 (pending), the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to acoustic structures, and more particularly to a sound barrier for eliminating or reducing noise emanating from roadways, railways, airports, or other noise generating areas.

BACKGROUND

Sound barrier walls are known in the art and have been utilized to eliminate or reduce noise emanating from roadways, railways, airports, or other such areas adjacent residential and/or business communities. These sound barriers are typically constructed in the form of elongate wall structures interposed between a noise source and an area that is desired to be protected from the noise. Conventional sound barriers have been constructed using I-beam shaped posts and concrete wall sections interposed between the posts. These conventional sound barrier walls are heavy and difficult to install. In addition, when it is desired to repair or replace sections of such conventional sound barrier walls, the heavy concrete wall sections make it difficult to remove and replace. The construction of such conventional sound barrier walls makes it difficult to retrofit existing sound walls if there are imperfections in the construction materials used to make the sound wall.

SUMMARY

The present invention overcomes the foregoing and other shortcomings and drawbacks of conventional sound arresting barriers heretofore known. While the invention will be described in connection with certain embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention includes all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In one embodiment, a sound barrier includes a plurality of vertically extending posts, wherein each post has an I-shaped cross section defined by a central web and spaced apart pairs of flanges that define oppositely disposed channels for receiving the end portions of sound wall sections. At least one wall section may be received within each channel. The wall section may have a thickness that is less than the width of the respective channel, so that a space or gap is created between the wall section and one of the flanges of the post. At least one bracket is positioned in the space and attached to the wall section to retain the wall section within the channel.

In another embodiment, a method of retrofitting a sound barrier includes inserting at least one wall section into a channel of a post, wherein the wall section has a thickness that is less than the width of the channel so that a space is defined between the wall section and a flange of the post. The method further includes coupling a first bracket with the wall section and the post in the space to thereby retain the wall section within the channel.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood after reading the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary sound barrier installed along a roadway, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary spacer bracket for use in the sound barrier of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the bracket of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the sound barrier of FIG. 1 taken along line 4-4.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4, depicting another exemplary sound barrier.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5, depicting yet another exemplary sound barrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary sound barrier 10 according to the present invention and utilized along a roadway 12 to eliminate or reduce noise transmitted from the roadway 12 to the adjacent area on the opposite side of the sound barrier 10. The sound barrier 10 comprises a series of elongate wall sections 14 disposed between generally vertically extending posts 16. In this embodiment, the wall sections 14 comprise a plurality of sound arresting members 18 arranged end-to-end and stacked in a vertical direction, one atop another, to create a wall or partition between the noise generating area and the area to be protected. The sound arresting members 18 are supported at their respective ends by the spaced apart posts 16, which have been arranged along the boundary between the noise source and the protected area. In FIG. 1, the sound barrier 10 is constructed along the side of the roadway 12 and is positioned atop a parapet or retaining wall 20. It will be recognized however that the sound barrier 10 may alternatively be erected directly upon the ground surface, or in various other configurations, as may be desired.

A sound barrier 10 in accordance with the principles of the present invention is suitable not only for new installations, but may also be used to retrofit existing sound walls, for example, when it is desired to repair or replace portions of an existing sound wall or an entire sound wall all together. In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 4-6, the sound barrier 10 comprises at least one generally vertically extending post 16 spaced apart along the boundary of an area where it is desired to locate the sound barrier 10. Each post 16 has a generally I-shaped cross-section defined by a central structural web 30 and having spaced apart pairs of flanges 32 a, 32 b, 32 c, 32 d extending generally perpendicular to the central web 30 to define first and second oppositely disposed channels 34 a, 34 b along the vertical length of the post 16.

A sound barrier 10 may also include a post cap 17 and/or a post cover 19, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,561,360, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, and with continued reference to FIG. 1, a spacer bracket 22 for use in sound barrier 10 may include a base portion 24, a first arm 26, and a second arm 28. The first and second arms 26, 28 may be substantially perpendicular to the base portion 24 such that the spacer bracket 22 may have a generally U-shaped cross section. Moreover, the first arm 26 may comprise a length that is substantially greater than the length of the second arm 28 to provide clearance for attaching mounting hardware, such as a rivet 29, through the first arm 26 into a wall section 14, as depicted in FIG. 4. In one embodiment, the longitudinal length L of the bracket 22 may be substantially equal to the height H of a corresponding wall section 14. In one embodiment, the U-shaped bracket 22 may comprise a glass-reinforced polymeric material, such as fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP). It will be appreciated, however, that spacer bracket 22 may alternatively be made from various other materials suitable for supporting a wall section 14 as described below.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a sound barrier 10 may comprise wall sections 14 a, 14 b received in channels 34 a, 34 b along post 16. The sound barrier 10 may further include brackets 42 disposed within the channels 34 a, 34 b. In the embodiment shown, the brackets 42 have generally L-shaped cross-sections. First legs 44 of the L-shaped brackets 42 may be secured to the posts 16 along the central web 30, while second legs 46 of the L-shaped brackets 42 may extend perpendicular to the central web 30. The brackets 42 may cooperate with flanges 32 c, 32 d to define spaces within channels 34 b, 34 a sized to receive wall sections therebetween. For example, the right side of FIG. 4 depicts a wall section 14 b having a thickness T that is substantially equal to the distance between a bracket 42 and a flange 32 d and that is received in channel 34 b in the space between the bracket 42 and flange 32 d. In one embodiment, the wall section 14 b may comprise concrete. The left side of FIG. 4 depicts a wall section 14 a having a thickness t that is substantially less than the distance between a bracket 42 and a flange 32 c and that has been installed in channel 34 a in the space between the bracket 42 and the flange 32 c to replace a thicker wall section that was originally disposed in channel 34 a. The wall section 14 a may be thinner and lighter than the wall section 14 b. In one embodiment, the wall section 14 a may comprise a glass-reinforced polymeric material (e.g. fiberglass). Sound barrier 10 may further include a U-shaped spacer bracket 22 positioned within the channel 34 a between the wall section 14 a and the L-shaped bracket 42. In this manner, the L-shaped bracket 42 may provide a stop surface to the second arm 28 of the U-shaped bracket 22 such that the wall section 14 a may engage a flange 32 c of the post. The first arm 26 of the U-shaped bracket 22 may be coupled with the wall section 14 a for support, such as by rivets 29 or other fasteners. Alternatively, it will be appreciated that the first arm 26 may be coupled with the wall section 14 a by any other suitable method of attachment, such as by adhesion or welding. In addition, one or more shims 47 may be positioned between the second arm 28 of the U-shaped bracket 22 and the second leg 46 of the L-shaped bracket 42 to provide a tight fit.

In many instances, it may be desirable to replace a thick wall section 14 b with a thinner wall section 14 a. For example, a thick wall section 14 b made of concrete may be heavy and difficult to maintain, repair, or replace after being exposed to damage or weathering. Conversely, a thinner wall section 14 a made of fiberglass may be lightweight and easily replaceable. Referring now to FIG. 5, and with continued reference to FIG. 4, the wall section 14 b may be replaced with a second wall section 14 a having a thickness t that is substantially less than the distance between a bracket 42 and flange 32 d. Sound barrier 10 may further include U-shaped brackets 22 positioned within the channels 34 a, 34 b between the wall sections 14 a and the L-shaped brackets 42. In this manner, the L-shaped brackets 42 may provide stop surfaces to the second arms 28 of the U-shaped brackets 22 such that the wall sections 14 a may engage the flanges 32 c, 32 d of the post 16.

Referring now to FIG. 6, wherein similar features are similarly numbered, sound barrier 110 may comprise at least one generally vertically extending post 116 spaced apart along the boundary of an area where it is desired to locate the sound barrier 110. Each post has a generally I-shaped cross-section defined by a central structural web 130 and having spaced apart pairs of flanges 132 a, 132 b, 132 c, 132 d extending generally perpendicular to the central web 130 to define first and second oppositely disposed channels 134 a, 134 b along the vertical length of the post 116. Sound barrier 110 may further comprise wall sections 14 a received in channels 134 a, 134 b along post 116. The wall sections 14 a may have thicknesses t substantially less than the widths of channels 134 a, 134 b. Sound barrier 110 may further include U-shaped brackets 22 positioned within the channels 134 a, 134 b between the wall sections 14 a and the flanges 132 b, 132 a. In this manner, the flanges 132 b, 132 a may provide stop surfaces to the second arms 28 of the U-shaped brackets 22 such that the wall sections 14 a may engage the flanges 132 c, 132 d of the post 116. The first arms 26 of the U-shaped brackets 22 may be coupled with the wall sections 14 b for support, as previously described. In addition, one or more shims 47 may be positioned between the second arms 28 of the U-shaped brackets 22 and the flanges 132 a, 132 b to provide a tight fit. In one embodiment, the wall sections 14 a may comprise a glass-reinforced polymeric material (e.g. fiberglass).

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of one or more exemplary embodiments, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, they are not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. The various features discussed herein may be used alone or in any combination. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope or spirit of the general inventive concept. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sound barrier, comprising: a plurality of vertically extending posts, each post having a generally I-shaped cross section defined by a central structural web and spaced apart pairs of flanges extending generally perpendicular to said central web to define first and second oppositely disposed channels along said post for receiving a distal end portion of a wall section therein such that said wall section is retained between adjacent, spaced posts; at least one wall section received in said channel of at least one of said plurality of posts; wherein said wall section comprises a thickness that is substantially less than a width of said channel, such that a space is defined between said wall section and one of said flanges; and at least one first bracket positioned within said space and attached to said wall section; wherein said first bracket comprises a base portion and first and second arms perpendicular to said base portion, and wherein said first arm is substantially longer than said second arm.
 2. The sound barrier of claim 1, wherein said first arm of said first bracket engages said wall section and said second arm of said first bracket engages a stop surface such that said wall section is positioned within said channel and engages one of said flanges of said post.
 3. The sound barrier of claim 2, wherein said stop surface is one of said flanges of said post.
 4. The sound barrier of claim 2, wherein said stop surface is defined by a second bracket coupled with said post.
 5. The sound barrier of claim 1, wherein said first arm of said first bracket is coupled to said wall section.
 6. The sound barrier of claim 1, further comprising at least one second bracket coupled to said central web of at least one of said posts and cooperating with at least one of said flanges to define a space for receiving said wall section therebetween, said bracket including a first leg extending along said central web, and a second leg extending perpendicular to said central web; wherein said first bracket is positioned between said wall section and said second bracket.
 7. The sound barrier of claim 1, wherein at least one of said wall section or said first bracket comprises glass-reinforced polymeric material.
 8. The sound barrier of claim 1, further comprising at least one shim positioned between said second arm of said first bracket and said flange.
 9. The sound barrier of claim 1, further comprising at least one elongate post cover coupled with one of said plurality of posts and disposed over an outer surface thereof.
 10. The sound barrier of claim 1, further comprising: a post cap having an open end; said post cap received on an upper, free end of one of said plurality of posts with said free end of said post extending within said open end of said post cap.
 11. A method of retrofitting a sound barrier, comprising: inserting at least one wall section into a channel of at least one post, wherein the post has a generally I-shaped cross section defined by a central structural web and spaced apart flanges extending generally perpendicular to the central web to define the channel along the post; wherein the wall section has a thickness that is substantially less than a width of the channel, such that a space is defined between the wall section and one of the flanges; and operatively coupling at least one first bracket with the wall section and the post in the space, wherein the first bracket comprises a base portion and first and second arms perpendicular to the base portion, and wherein the first arm is substantially longer than the second arm.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: engaging the first arm of the first bracket with the wall section; and engaging the second arm of the first bracket with a stop surface such that the wall section is positioned within the channel and engages a flange of the post.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein engaging the second arm of the first bracket with a stop surface includes engaging the second arm with a flange of the post.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein engaging the second arm of the first bracket with a stop surface includes engaging the second arm with a second bracket that is coupled with the central structural web.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein operatively coupling the first bracket includes coupling the first arm of the first bracket to the wall section.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein each post further includes at least one second bracket coupled to the central web of the post and including a first leg extending along the central web and a second leg extending perpendicular to the central web, and wherein inserting at least one first bracket within the space includes inserting the first bracket between the second leg of the second bracket and the wall section.
 17. The method of claim 11, further comprising inserting at least one shim between the second arm of the first bracket and the flange.
 18. The method of claim 11, further comprising removing a per-existing panel retained by the post before inserting at least one wall section into the channel of the post. 